The end of tennis elbow?

Glasgow: Scientists are investigating a new therapy for the treatment of tendon injuries such as tennis elbow and Achilles tendinitis after gaining new insight into the condition. Tendon injuries (tendinopathies) are common, accounting for 30-50% of all sporting injuries, and are usually caused by repetitive strain or major trauma.
While many people recover after a period of rest, a significant number of people do not because the structure of the tendon itself has permanently weakened. Healthy tendons, connecting muscles to bones, are primarily composed of type-1 collagen, a very strong material. When injured the body responds by producing the inferior type-3 collagen to quickly repair the damage. This type of collagen is not as strong as type-1 and is more prone to damage. Normally, over time, type 3 is replaced by the stronger type-1.
However, in some people, repetitive damage means the body never replaces the weaker type-3 collagen, leaving them with inherently weaker tendons and long-term symptoms, such as pain and reduced mobility.
Scientists at the University of Glasgow are trialling a new therapy (TenoMiR™) for treating tendinopathy after being awarded a High Growth Spinout grant from Scottish Enterprise.